Harry Iles – vice chair

Being a trustee of the Welsh Refugee Council brings to life my belief in a just, humane, multicultural society that welcomes refugees and sanctuary seekers.  I was proud to be the chair for six years, working with our fantastic staff to strengthen every area of our work.  I have rejoined as vice-chair and a refreshed trustee team ready to tackle the challenges that are sure to come.

I first saw the extremes of poverty and wealth as a teacher in Swaziland, and learnt from the vision and greatness of spirit of my friends who were fighting apartheid.  I became a sculptor there, and spent many years carving wood and casting bronze sculptures, driven to communicate through images. My work can be seen in public and private collections across Wales.

Born in Bute Street to idealistic, pacifist Quaker parents, I studied Zoology at Cambridge and gained a PGCE in Art and Design, then taught in a special needs school in London.

For many years I worked with a charity sending hand tools to co-operatives in Africa, organising the main workshop in Southampton and visiting partners in Tanzania and Sierra Leone to understand the practicalities of their efforts to empower craftsmen and women.  This led to heading up community development in Monmouthshire, building the capacity of local charities to find funding and work in partnership with statutory organisations.

For 12 years I was the Head of the Charity Commission’s Wales office, providing regulatory advice and guidance to a wide range of charities, including some of the largest charities in England and Wales.  This work developed my understanding of governance and the importance of an effective organisational structure.  It was a time of considerable change and I was involved in developing the Commission’s strategic approach to risk and modernising our communication with the sector.

At a local level I have been involved with Abergavenny Town of Sanctuary group, developing ways to support refugees and asylum seekers and set up a ‘Conversation Café’ to help the Syrian and Afghan families practice English.  For too long now I have stood with my friends in Abergavenny to protest the genocide in Gaza and call for an end to the terrible oppression of the Palestinians.  In 2024 I was awarded an honorary Fellowship with the University of South Wales for my service to Human Rights.

Wales has a great tradition of being welcoming and generous, with the vision of becoming a Nation of Sanctuary.  I feel the Welsh Refugee Council’s work is now more important than ever, with our years of experience in providing expert, practical advice and adding a campaigning voice to challenge the negative narratives that are being sown in our society.